Blessed Sacrament Newsletter — Jan/Feb 2023

BLESSED SACRAMENT CATHOLIC CHURCH ALTAR SERVERS:

Deeply Involved with the Mass, Growing Closer to Christ

Altar serving is a quiet but profound gift of time and talent. Though their service takes place in the background, altar servers ensure that Mass goes smoothly and that the priest has everything he needs to celebrate Mass. It is a rewarding experience that leads to a deeper understanding of the Mass. It’s impossible to be up close with the Eucharist and to be so deeply involved during Mass without being impacted.

Laura Blake is a seasoned altar server. She began serving when she was in fourth grade — the minimum age for altar servers — and has been serving for six years. Her inspiration to try altar serving was her dad.

“When I was little, I saw my dad up on the altar being a Eucharistic Minister,” Laura says. “I knew I eventually wanted to do that,

so I thought that becoming an altar server would get me closer to being a Eucharistic Minister.”

Laura was trained with about 10 other new servers. They walked through the Mass step-by-step, learning exactly what they needed to bring to the priest and when, as each small task ensures that the rest of Mass runs smoothly.

“When I started, I was worried that I would mess up the order, or when and what to bring up to the altar,” Laura says. “It took about a year before I felt completely comfortable.”

For a while, servers worked together during Mass, but soon Laura found that her own experience and confidence were needed. When COVID-19 came, only one server was scheduled for each Mass to ensure safety, so Laura had to rely on her own knowledge.

Laura Blake began serving when she was in fourth grade — the minimum age for altar servers — and has been serving for six years.

EXAMINING OUR New Year’s Resolutions Through the Lens of Stewardship

Every January, we all step forward into the New Year with new ideas, goals and resolutions. But after the initial sparkle of the New Year has faded, it can be easy to forget our once-fervent resolutions. However, we might find that it’s a bit easier to keep our New Year’s resolutions if we look a bit beyond our physical selves. By also involving our spiritual lives, as well as the lives of others, we can add a lot more meaning to our resolutions.

As renowned Catholic author Matthew Kelly says, “We’re all trying to be better versions of ourselves,” and that’s basically what any resolution is about. Stewardship is essentially the same thing — if we embrace living a stewardship way of life, we become better versions of ourselves. We can use our time and talent to make improvements in our lives, in the lives of others, and in the life of the parish. It all comes down to one basic point — if we acknowledge that everything we have is a gift from God, then we are supposed to be good stewards of those gifts, use them for the benefit of others, and return our talents tenfold to the Lord.

One idea to help incorporate stewardship into your New Year’s resolutions is to make two distinct resolutions each year — one at the beginning of the liturgical year, and one at the beginning of the calendar year.

We can think of the first Sunday of Advent as the Church New Year,

and we can make our own spiritual resolutions at this special time each year. Then, for the new calendar year, we can make resolutions for our health and well-being. In both cases, we can commit to these promises much in the same way we make our commitments during our annual Stewardship Renewal. We can make these resolutions, write them down, and share them with someone. Once you’ve written it down and shared it, you are now holding yourself accountable.

We are both physical and spiritual beings. Taking care of the physical side of things is a good start, but if we ignore the spiritual side, what kind of progress are we truly making? Even if you already regularly pray, you can add five more minutes to your prayer time each day to take a step forward in your faith. Even if you read the Bible once a week, you can take a spiritual leap and make it twice a week. One way to make a good resolution is to consider joining or increasing your involvement in one of the parish’s prayer, faith formation or outreach ministries.

Making resolutions requires us to truly reflect on the areas in our lives that we’d like to improve, while also ensuring that our priorities are in order. Remember, there is no need to take a giant leap all at once. So, as we begin a new calendar year, remember that even the smallest steps forward in faith can go a long, long way as you continuously renew your relationship with Christ.

A New Year, New Challenges, New Opportunities

It is a new year, and it is my prayer for all of you — and for me, as well — that we can take new steps on our faith journeys and seek new ways to live out discipleship and stewardship.

Pope Francis once commented on his perspective of our modern approach to life. He said, “Certainly, possessions, money, and power can give a momentary thrill, the illusion of being happy, but they end up possessing us and making us always want more, never satisfied. I have learned that the most important thing is to put on Christ in your life, place your trust in Him, and you will never be disappointed.”

The pope has been called “the world’s parish priest.” As we pray for one another in this New Year, may we all ask the Lord to help us appreciate Pope Francis’ approach to life, his simple way of seeing things, and his very basic way of appreciating things. I would hope that we see this year as a time for opportunity, a time to deepen our relationship to Christ, and for that matter to one another.

If we wish to change our lives and the lives of others, there are two easy ways to do it. We are blessed with many opportunities in this parish to pray, but as much as we need to take advantage of those, we also need to develop a strong personal prayer life. Recall the young Samuel, who was not quite sure what to do with his life, or what direction to go. When he finally settled on that one important prayer, “Speak, Lord, your servant is listening,” Samuel gave us the hint as to what we need to do. Prayer is a two-way street, and part of that is taking the time to listen to God.

The second important way is to exude joy. Christ certainly called us to do that. Pope Francis has had much to say about joy, as well. The Holy Father says, “Joy cannot be held at heel; it must be let go. Joy is a pilgrim virtue. It is a gift that walks — walks on the path of life, that walks with Jesus… proclaiming joy, lengthens and widens that path.” We must seek that joy and then we need to share it. That is truly our call.

Joy translates quite easily into “love your neighbor.”

Yes, there may be challenges ahead in 2023, but we must focus on the opportunities, and then exert the effort to benefit from those opportunities. Happy New Year!

Sincerely yours in Christ, Fr. Martin Egging Pastor

Dear Parishioners,

A Letter From Our Pastor

CoffeeANDRolls MINISTRY

The pandemic may have slowed things down a bit, but our Coffee and Rolls Ministry is going strong at our Blessed Sacrament Jubilee Center, with sweet treats, hot coffee, or juice being offered, along with a generous serving of hospitality after the 8 a.m. and 10 a.m. Sunday Masses.

“Coffee and Rolls, in my opinion, is just an opportunity for fellowship within our church community,” says Pam Van Heufeln, a longtime ministry member. “It has always been one of my favorite things about Sunday morning Mass. My Dad, Tom Rainforth, who passed away last year, would always sit with roughly the same group after 8 o’clock Mass and ‘solve the problems of the world’. It was a time we both enjoyed very much.”

Pam cherishes the fact that she gets to meet parishioners she wouldn’t otherwise meet in other venues, and she enjoys visiting with neighbors.

“I enjoy seeing people sitting and relaxing and taking time to just visit and talk about anything that comes to mind,” she says. “Coffee and Rolls provides that setting.”

Although attendance has dropped in several areas because of COVID-19 restrictions and concerns, Pam is hopeful numbers will return.

“It brings more of fellowship back to going to Mass,” she says. “Mass is about community and praying as a community, and then connecting afterward at Coffee and Rolls — it’s kind of a double-down when it comes to God’s Kingdom.”

The procedure to set up each Sunday is an easy one, thanks to the well-stocked kitchen in the Jubilee Center. The ministry members hosting the early Mass time pick up the donuts or rolls for both servings. They prepare the coffee — Pam sets out two or three pots of regular and one of decaf — and pour several glasses of juice and water. Donuts or sweet rolls, plates, napkins, cream, and sugar are all lined up on the serving counters behind the kitchen windows that are opened as everyone arrives. Tables are already set up in the center.

Individuals and families take turns serving throughout the year. Our Knights of Columbus regularly take one Sunday each month. Ministry members typically serve after their chosen Mass. If there is a special event scheduled for a particular

Coffee and Rolls Ministry

Sunday, for example, Confirmation, the coffee and rolls will not be served.

Serving in the Coffee and Rolls Ministry is an ideal way to enter into stewardship.

“It’s a fun, easy way if you haven’t participated in a lot of stewardship with your parish,” Pam says. “This is a good way, kind of a ‘starter’ position, to become active. I have taught CCD for 13 to 14 years, and that can be an intimidating way to start living in stewardship. But the Coffee and Rolls Ministry is pretty straightforward and simple. The whole purpose is to welcome people. It’s a perfect way to start stewardship within their parish.”

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PAM VAN HEUFELN

Altar Servers

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Over the years, Laura has had a chance to serve at special Masses, with Christmas and Easter Masses each having differences that the altar servers must learn. Weddings and funerals are among some of the other unique Masses for which servers are needed. One Mass, in particular, stands out in Laura’s memory.

“I was asked to serve at one of my childhood friend’s grandma’s funeral,” Laura says. “It was sad, but it felt like serving was one of the most beautiful gifts I could give to them.”

Six years of altar serving has certainly

changed how Laura experiences the Mass. She is aware of details that most of us would never notice from the pews. Her focus and attention are required throughout the Mass and Fr. Marty relies on her and the other servers to know exactly what needs to be done. That focus extends beyond the small details and heightens Laura’s participation in the Mass.

“By being up on the altar, you have a more personal connection to the Mass,” Laura says. “The message of the whole Mass is better understood because you’re actively participating.”

If you’re interested in being trained as an altar server, please contact the parish office at 308-384-0532.

“It brings more of fellowship back to going to Mass. Mass is about community and praying as a community, and then connecting afterwards at Coffee and Rolls — it’s kind of a double down when it comes to God’s Kingdom.”

Anyone interested in joining this ministry may call Teri Puncochar, Parish Office Manager, at 308-384-0532, or sign up on the calendar posted in the kitchen. Teri will make note and send out a reminder, especially to new members.

CHILDREN’S CHURCH

A Chance for Little Ones to Understand the Lord’s Message

All children are welcome for all Masses here at Blessed Sacrament. We genuinely want parents to know that no matter how rambunctious their child is, they are welcome!

In Matthew 19:14, Jesus says, “Let the children come to me, and do not prevent them; for the kingdom of heaven belongs to such as these.”

The children of our parish have a wonderful opportunity to receive the messages of the first and second readings and the Gospel in their language on the first and third Sunday of every month at Children’s Church. Four committed volunteers make this happen for children ages 3 to fifth grade at the Sunday 10 a.m. Mass.

“You can see the excitement with the kids when they realize it’s the week for Children’s Church,” says Debra Wetzel, Director of Religious Education.

As Debra oversees this ministry, she remains thankful to the volunteers and Fr. Marty Egging for making Children’s Church happen.

“When you are a little person, you are going to get bored during Mass,” Debra says. “A lot of things are going over your head.”

The students go out with the volunteer before the readings. Children’s Church allows them to ask questions about the readings and Gospel.

“I know the parents really appreciate this, too,” Debra says. “It gives them the opportunity to

listen to the readings, Gospel, and homily.”

The rest of the congregation sings “Jesus Loves Me” as the children walk out. It’s a beautiful way to show kids they are welcome at church. Fr. Marty also loves to see parents have their kids sit up front.

“It makes me smile when I see parents with their kids at Mass,” Debra says. “They are the future of our church, and we want to see them there.”

Children’s Church also gives children the chance to create their own community with their peers. During their time, they may create an item that relates to a feast day. For example, they made crowns on the Feast of Christ the King.

“We want people to know that our church is for all ages, not just for those that can be quiet,” Debra says. “The children’s zest for life is contagious for all of us.”

All are welcome, even guests, for Children’s Church on the first and third Sundays of the month.

If you are interested in volunteering with this ministry, please contact Debra Wetzel at 308-395-8521 or debwetzel@hotmail.com.

Children made crowns for the Feast of Christ the King at Children’s Church.

THE GREAT CATHOLIC EDUCATOR: St. Thomas Aquinas

Before Thomas Aquinas was even born, a holy hermit told his mother he was to be more learned and holy than any other person of his time. As a young boy, he was devoted to prayer and meditation, and his intellectual gifts were quickly recognized. When he was about 11 years old, he was sent to the University of Naples, and about five years later, he became a Dominican friar.

Thomas’ parents were Italian nobility and were not enthusiastic about Thomas’ choice of vocation. They went so far as to have his brothers capture him while he was enroute to Rome, and they held him prisoner for two years in an effort to destroy his vocation and his virtue. After the family made one particularly heinous attempt at breaking Thomas’ faith and spirit, he begged God to give him integrity of mind and body, and he was miraculously given

the girdle and grace of purity for the rest of his life. This gift almost certainly was essential to the remarkable clarity of his intellect.

After he regained his freedom, Thomas received the best education that was available during a time in human history that arguably represents the best the world has ever offered to scholars and philosophers. His greatest works arise from his total focus on knowing and understanding God, and revealing as clearly as possible the Truth of God to others. He showed that faith and reason are not in conflict, but exist in harmony.

Thomas’ Summa Theologica uses philosophical principles presented in scientific form to systematically explain Christian theology. It was his last work and was left unfinished. Thomas stopped writing after he experienced an unusually long

vision on Dec. 6, 1273. When he was urged to finish his Summa, he stated that he could no longer write, for the secrets he had been shown during his vision made all he had written “seem as straw.” He died three months later.

Thomas composed more than 60 works. His powers of synthesis were truly continued on back cover

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St. Thomas Aquinas

extraordinary. He was able to sift through all that he read, distill the truth, and summarize his conclusions simply, clearly and briefly. His writing is of such genius that it transcends style and art in the beauty of its truth. His works are as relevant today as they were to the 13th century. His principles offer a remedy to such evils as socialism, communism, nihilism, as well as pantheism and spiritism.

Thomas was canonized in 1323, and was declared a Doctor of the Universal Church in 1567. In 1879, Leo XIII declared Thomas Aquinas “the prince and master of all scholastic doctors,” and in 1880, Thomas was designated as patron of all Catholic universities, colleges and schools throughout the world. We celebrate St. Thomas Aquinas’ feast day on Jan. 28.

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Thomas’ greatest works arise from his total focus on knowing and understanding God, and revealing as clearly as possible the Truth of God to others. He showed that faith and reason are not in conflict, but exist in harmony.